Alternator? Battery? or just gremlins?

[Johnnybaja]

So on my way home from work the otherday i noticed that my volts were really low just above 8 or yellow so I assumed alternator is going but the next day i started up my 60 and my volts were higher like around 10 or 11 , i put it in reverse and my volt dropped back down assume its back up lights because same thing happens when I turn on my headlights but if I turn them off volts jump right back up but not where they should be i.e. 12v its weird if i turn on my turn signal the volt meter jumps up and down in time with the flasher. I am ready to pull the alternator and have it tested.

 

[jvazquez53]

I'M no expert on this but it could be your alternator not keeping up, or the regulator.

 

[John McVicker]

So on my way home from work the otherday i noticed that my volts were really low just above 8 or yellow so I assumed alternator is going but the next day i started up my 60 and my volts were higher like around 10 or 11 , i put it in reverse and my volt dropped back down assume its back up lights because same thing happens when I turn on my headlights but if I turn them off volts jump right back up but not where they should be i.e. 12v its weird if i turn on my turn signal the volt meter jumps up and down in time with the flasher. I am ready to pull the alternator and have it tested.

Put a multi-meter on your batt. with engine off...should be 12+

Then put it on the batt. with engine running...should be 13+ maybe 14+

This should help narrow your problem down.

John

 

[dorcom]

Los Gremlinos

The onboard meter is very inacurate since it measure the voltage from somewhere in the harness. A digital multimeter connected directly to the battery will give you an accurate reading.

 

[augirthedude]

Sounds to me like there is a high resistance connection between the alt and the load side of the fusibul link. Check the connections of your battery , line side of fusibul link , load side of the fusibul link . If one of the spade connections gets loose from age/ heat you could be getting a bad connection at any of the places I have mentioned . Look for signs of heat at the fusibul link connections ....dark, tarnished , melted . I have been addressing the same issue with my rig .

 

[krookedpandas]

Sounds like fusible links. Had the same problem myself, just swapped them out and no more problems. They don't seem to hold up to time and its a good preventative measure.